Can you bear with other people’s shortcomings? What is the measure of your tolerance? Do you condemn others for faults you are guilty of? Human nature is blind to its own errors. Humans have infinite forbearance for personal flaws. Self-biased, we crucify others for what we excuse in ourselves. Tenderly self-appraising, we justify in us the ugly things for which we vilify our fellowmen. That is a portrait of prejudice—measuring others on different scales than used for self. The formula for social disintegration is coded in narcissistic ideology.
Offences Will Come
Forgiveness is central to New Testament doctrines. But to discuss forgiveness is to delve into realms of human relations. As we interact with folks around us, we generate friction, by design or inadvertently. People don’t share common views on issues, and neither is everyone happy to accommodate differing opinions. On such volatile recipes for conflict, Jesus told His disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come!
To expect life free of disputes is to expect the impossible. So then, learning how to navigate through conflicting views is an essential social skill. How do you relate with folks whose opinions contradict your own? Should you even relate with such people at all? Obviously, earthly life is a shared experience. Our ability to inhabit the planet is complemented and facilitated by other people, many of whose contributions we are oblivious to.
Think, for a moment, of the tools we use every day. A house, car, or cellphone is a conglomerate of dissimilar skills. The parts that make up these units are processed by industries that specialize in electronics, wood, metal, rubber, plastics, wires, glass, chemicals, etc. Individual industries that make specific parts source their materials from other conglomerates. It’s just an amazing example of the interconnectedness of our earthly life.
When we get home from work, turn on the television set and watch the evening news, we don’t give much thought to how stories are collected or the facilitating infrastructure. What does a gas station have to do with it? Or a restaurant, a policeman, a nurse at a hospital, or the fellow stacking supplies on store shelves? Yet, if a phone call went through, water flowed from a tap, a snack was eaten, a stoplight controlled flow of traffic, a child spent a safe day at school… perhaps we should more readily appreciate other players in the game of life. We enjoy benefits that reach our end of the spectrum only as others do their part. Thus, we must never modulate another player’s emphasis on his assigned task unless guiding that player is our obligation.
Jesus has an obligation to guide our perspectives. He is God, and He commands us to forgive an offender every time s/he comes back and apologizes. We may not keep records of the number of times we forgive someone who repeatedly asks for our pardon. That is the Scriptural way. That is God’s instruction for those who’d live by Christian ethics.
Not More Faith, But Deeper Humility
Jesus’ disciples were human like you and me. They were as stunned by Christ’s command as anyone receiving a tough directive. How do you maintain patience with a fellow who repeatedly sins against you? If you are anything like me, you are aggravated as much by an offender’s pleas as by repeated offences. Do you see why the disciples asked Jesus to increase their faith? Did they have less faith than they needed? Not at all. A little bit of faith can move mountains, but faith does not resolve interpersonal disputes. Instead of a faith boost, Jesus prescribes humility.
6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 7 And which of you, having a servant plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and sit down to eat’? 8 But will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something for my supper, and gird yourself and serve me till I have eaten and drunk, and afterward you will eat and drink’? 9 Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. 10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’” (Luk 17:6-10 ~NKJV)
What is Jesus talking about here? He is reminding His disciples who, and what they are. Unprofitable servants! Their one duty is to do the Master’s bidding! In other words, when you serve Jesus, your loyalty is to Him, not to your ego. You do what He tells you. You do it how He tells you to. Unless your perspective changes from that of a servant to someone deserving dignity and recognition, offences shouldn’t be such a big deal to you! Offences will come, no doubt. They are unavoidable! But if you adopt an attitude other than that of an undeserving servant, you will start to make demands, not only on your fellowmen, but on the Master Himself!
Ever met so-called men of God with egos larger than life? Or Christians who question God’s faithfulness when life presents challenges? Or believers who quit because their dreams didn’t materialize? These tendencies are bound to surface when folks overrate their worth. God never said He’d recompense anyone’s loyalty by indulging their childish cravings. Instead, Jesus promised, 33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
God’s servant finds his/her contentment in Jesus, not in compliments of men. You can never maneuver your way into the good graces of sceptics. Settle that in your mind once and for all.
A servant who knows his place comes from the field, not to dine and rest, but to listen for more instructions on what the Master wants him to do. That servant does not obey in hopes of being thanked or entertained. Neither does s/he care for flattering titles or special treats. God’s servant has a lowly view of his/her personal worth. Asked about his credentials, John the Baptist replied, “…I’m not even worthy to be Christ’s slave nor to untie the straps of His sandals.” (Luke 3:16) And yet, Jesus called John Baptist “the greatest prophet ever born to a woman”! (Luke 7:28)
Having defined the outlook of a disciple, Jesus restated it in no uncertain terms; 10 So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’ In other words, as a follower of Christ, clothe yourself in humility. When a God-given opportunity affords you the chance to carry out a task, say, “I have no capacity to benefit my Lord. I couldn’t even do what He asked me without His help! That’s a picture of humility. Such an attitude invites God’s Presence and power.
Polar Opposites
Ego and humility are polar opposites; they don’t coexist. The Book of Proverbs makes a critical note.10 Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom. Wherever you find contention, ego is at the root. You will never find a humble person wrangling over anything. Ego always seeks its own advantage. Its prime goals are recognition, praise, and personal benefit. Pride says, “Look at me. Do you know who I am? Do you know how much I am worth? Don’t speak to me like that!” When pride enters a heart, God’s Spirit is denied opportunity to operate in that person! “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”
Inversely, humility never seeks its own way. A humble person yields to Scriptural guidance, and the wisdom of godly people. When you study histories of men that God used greatly, you find at least two common traits. They all had deep reverence for God’s Word and exhibited remarkable humility and selflessness. For instance, it was Moses’ father-in-law, a Midianite priest, who advised Israel’s liberator to enlist men of specific qualities to manage the multitude! Jethro’s counsel is still taught in colleges as a cherished principle in accountancy.
Are you teachable? Are there folks you can’t learn from because they are too small for you?
Would you accomplish something that has lasting impact in life and eternity? Rather than seek increased faith to do ‘greater things’, God wants us to cultivate deeper humility, so His values are instilled in us. One godly quality displayed though your life as a Christian is of greater value than a lifetime of egotistical triumphs.